Lopping off locks for charity

Balding For Dollars still going strong after 11 years in Whistler

Photo by Jon ParrisHAir today, gone tomorrow Pique's production staffer Jon Parris is taking part in Balding for Dollars.

Ryan Clark, 7, has been growing his hair for months to help children with cancer at BC Children's hospital.

And this weekend, on March 29, he'll lose his locks to the barber's scissors hoping to raise hundreds of dollars for sick kids through the annual Whistler Balding for Dollars event at the GLC.

Though this is the first time Ryan has taken part in the event he knows it well since his parents, Dave and Wendy Clark, are its organizers.

This year the fundraising goal is $15,000 in the "Shave for the Brave."

Dave Clark said the fundraising this year will add to the $205,000 raised in the first 11 years of the event.

"We encourage people to collect pledges ahead of time and after the event," he said.

At the smallest previous event 15 people sacrificed their hair and in the biggest year 35 people lost their locks. The most successful event so far raised $31,000, said Clark.

The 2014 fundraising effort is well on its way already.

"It's a funny event because we never know exactly how many people we're going to have show up," said Clark. "You don't have to register ahead of time and some people just show up and say, 'I'm here and I have $2,000.'

"All the money gets directed right onto the oncology ward for kids that are suffering from cancer and blood disorders.

"The money goes toward a variety of things, primarily research and equipment and supplies for the ward itself, and some out-patient programs."

Young Ryan Clark isn't the only one thinking ahead. Jon Parris of Pique's production department is going to have his 38 centimetres of hair cut along with his beard. He is collecting donations online through Pique's Facebook page.

"I'm doing it because I need a haircut. I have all this hair! And we all have to do good some days," he said.

The Hairfarmers will play music during the event from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and shavers from Blackcomb Barber Shoppe will work on up to three people at a time.